LBPHD: Fifty-six new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the nine counties of Loup Basin’s district since Friday.
The cases were reported from:
Custer (24), Valley (14), Howard (6), Greeley (5), Sherman (3), Wheeler (3), and Loup (1).
All known close contacts have been asked to quarantine.
Twenty-six additional recoveries have also been reported.
Loup Basin is saddened to report one additional COVID-19 related death in the district. The individual was a resident of Valley County.
Individuals Tested to Date: 7,515
Negative Labs to Date: 17,199*
Cases in the Previous 14 Days: 267
Cases in the Previous 7 Days: 124
There has been several questions in regards to the difference in the number of individuals tested (7,515) versus the negative labs to date (17,199). The first number depicts the number of PEOPLE tested, and no matter how many times tested they are only counted once.
The negative labs to date depict the number of TESTS that have occurred. Many individuals have been tested multiple times for a variety of reasons. For example, a long term care center staff member could be tested twice a week if there is an outbreak within the facility and the negative labs to date counts each negative test.
*LBPHD is aware this number is lower than the number reported Friday. LBPHD uses data prepared by DHHS to prepare this report.
District Totals: Positives 1,665 / Recovered 1,170 / Deaths 31
Blaine: 16/13/0
Custer: 572/398/13
Garfield: 119/83/5
Greeley: 149/103/0
Howard: 411/284/7
Loup: 22/16/0
Sherman: 139/97/4
Valley: 216/164/2
Wheeler: 21/12/0
Last week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced updated quarantine guidelines. Nebraska officials have updated the state’s Directed Health Measures (DHMs) to reflect these changes. The new DHMs took effect on December 3rd at 5:00 p.m.
It is important to know that an individual can incubate the virus up to 14 days before showing symptoms and is contagious for 48 hours before symptoms arise; this has not changed with the additional knowledge we now have about COVID-19. The CDC’s updated guidance was released because it has been proven through research that there is a dramatic decrease in the likelihood of someone becoming symptomatic the more days that have passed since their exposure.
Under the new DHMs, in-home quarantine may be discontinued without testing under the following conditions:
- At least ten (10) days have passed since close contact exposure AND
- The exposed individual does not have any COVID-19 symptoms AND
- The person self-monitors for symptoms and wears a facial covering over their nose and mouth through day 14 since the last close contact.
Quarantine may discontinue with testing, under the following conditions:
- At least seven (7) days have passed since close contact exposure AND
- An oral or nasal COVID-19 test that was collected no earlier than five (5) days since their last close contact is negative AND
- The exposed individual does not have any COVID-19 symptoms AND
- The person self-monitors for symptoms and wears a facial covering over their nose and mouth through day 14 since the last close contact.
Individuals may seek free testing through www.testnebraska.com. When on the website select ‘Start Now’ in the upper right-hand corner. You will then need to complete the questionnaire and schedule yourself for testing at any location that works for you.
